Chelsea: Rafael Benitez takes flak for Roman Abramovich

The pact of silence and subservience Chelsea's fans have made with owner Roman Abramovich ensured Rafael Benitez walked straight into a wall of hostility at Stamford Bridge.

Abramovich's decision to sack Roberto Di Matteo six months after
winning the Champions League
offended many Chelsea fans - but it almost qualified as a populist move compared to his replacement with Benitez.

Benitez's time at Liverpool made him a figure of derision and dislike at Chelsea. It was the result of an acrimonious rivalry with Jose Mourinho and his outwitting of "The Special One" in
2005
and
2007's
Champions League semi-finals and the
2006 FA Cup semi-final,
plus some barbs many of their supporters remember only too well.

This history meant the introductions were always going to be awkward when the interim manager met his new fans for the first time when Manchester City arrived at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

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Benitez booed by Chelsea fans

However much Benitez claimed he turned a deaf ear to his reception, nothing could have prepared him for the sound and fury that greeted him as he made his way through the tunnel to his place in the technical area prior to kick-off.

Chelsea have lost most of their capacity to surprise - but the venom aimed at Benitez carried an edge that was a shock even to those expecting the frostiest of welcomes.

And yet, while Benitez, received a warmer greeting from Manchester City's contingent than he did from Chelsea's fans, no voices were raised against Abramovich. No banners or chants suggesting the Russian was not welcome at Stamford Bridge. Nothing.

Abramovich dismissed Di Matteo and brought in Benitez - but any Roman revolt always stops short of the owner's executive box. This is the deal that has been made. If any of his behaviour meets with disapproval, it is suffered in silence for fear of causing offence.

So, during
Chelsea's 0-0 draw with Manchester City,
Stamford Bridge got as close to rebellion as it is ever likely to get but no anger could be heard rising up against Abramovich. The whole weight of the flak descended painfully on to Benitez.

The brutal truth is that so many Chelsea supporters have enjoyed so much of what Abramovich's money has brought and bought them in the shape of the Champions League, Premier League titles and FA Cups that his approach is simply accepted - and you suspect supporters of many other clubs who state their own disapproval and scorn would be exactly the same.

Analysis

Jonathan PearceBBC Match of the Day commentator

I have never heard in the history of the Premier League such a reaction to the appointment of a new manager as I have just heard from the Chelsea fans to Rafael Benitez. There were universal boos for the new boss.

Benitez, in certain situations, has a very thick skin but his suggestion he did not understand chanting that ranged from general disapproval to brutal abuse as he stood out in his technical area sounded very much like making the best of a very uncomfortable job. He would have to be constructed from stone not to have felt the impact of such personal criticism.

Stamford Bridge was a cacophony of jeering while the PA announcer, no shrinking violet with a microphone in his hands, struggled to make his point that a minute's applause was about to be observed for the
late former Chelsea manager Dave Sexton.

Indeed, the show of respect for Sexton saved Benitez as attention rightly turned to the great old servant of Stamford Bridge rather than the unpopular new arrival.

Abramovich was as unmoved as ever as he looked on. If he cares about what he witnessed, no-one outside his inner circle will ever know - and Benitez was his shield anyway.

Benitez happily accentuated the positive of a clean sheet and a point against the champions but it was his opposite number Roberto Mancini who explained the only way Chelsea's new manager can reverse a popularity rating that is well into minuses: "Win, win, win, win, win...every game."

You would not place too much money on even this being enough to convince Benitez's detractors.

When a manager is not even given the first minute of his first game before being loudly and viciously acquainted with the disapproval of his own supporters, it is hard to see what he can actually do to win them over even before he tries to convince Abramovich to ditch the word "interim" from his title.

A banner draped from The Shed Stand read "Rafa Out - Fact." Posters held up stated: "In Roberto We Trusted And Loved. In Rafa We Will Never Trust. Fact." There were others.

The other fact is that Abramovich has chosen his man and no matter how loud the dissenters shout and whether they like it, they are stuck with him until the owner decides otherwise. This is the law at Stamford Bridge.

Frustrating start for Benitez

Of the nine managers making their debut for Chelsea under Roman Abramovich, Rafael Benitez became the third to not win. The Spaniard equalled Andre Villas-Boas in drawing, with Avram Grant being the only one to lose

In an undistinguished game, in which Manchester City were marginally the better side, Benitez's tactical side will take pleasure from a Chelsea team that looked reasonably well organised but there was little else to savour on a thoroughly joyless day all around.

And those hoping Benitez could offer instant restorative powers to his old Liverpool marksman Fernando Torres were to be disappointed. Perhaps his first question could be: "Why so sad Fernando?"

Torres simply looks a dejected and miserable figure and that is before you even analyse why the snap and threat has gone from his game. Benitez's Chelsea were clearly under orders to get the ball longer and faster to Torres - but it was a ploy greeted with more gratitude by Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany than the striker.

Benitez is likely to spend his early days introducing more pragmatism to Chelsea's play. He will be happy to sacrifice some of the gloss from the side Di Matteo was managing to ensure greater reliability and durability.

And then, with perhaps a tweak or two in January, it will simply be a matter of following the Mancini mantra of "Win, win, win, win, win...every game."

This is the deal Benitez has made with Abramovich - and the deal Chelsea's fans have made with Abramovich in exchange for success.

Comments

I am a Chelsea fan of 45 years, and the problem here is Abramovich not Benitez !He is obsessed with chop and change !The time has come for him to clear off and leave the club to sort its own way and stabilise itself with a long term manager/coach.Get either Di Matteo back or Steve Clarke in and GIVE THEM A CHANCE !

chelsea fans are so fickle, they dont know whether to do the poznan, or sing: BENITEZ_WOOOA _ A _ OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHget that feller who hates them fellas from foreign lands to manage the club! that will get them happy...

Benitez has to focus on David Louis, because he plays against Chelsea. Barcelona transfer should not be done by playing badly. Most of his pass are poor, defending and blocking poor. Do not give corner balls for Louis, because he will not use them. Chek only understand Louis evil job.

Not difficult to see that most of the commentators here are LUFC. A club that is sadly living in the past and has no real prospects. I wonder how LUFC would be treated today if Heysel had occurred only last week instead of nearly 30 years ago. Surely, a lot harsher than the miserable rap they got for the benefit of all of us back then. Benitez will suffice for the interim term - no longer

796. Gerrard looked like the donkey he is against Milan, everyone and their dog could see that, it's the major reason Liverpool went three nil down.

The Rafa made the most courageous decision I think I've ever seen a manager make, he took fans fav Gerrard out of midfield and put a decent midfielder in instead. That decision won Liverpool the match.

775. What a halfwit. 'Benitez dumped Gerrard at right back'. Gerrard played there cos he is versatile, unlike your fat overrated dumpling of a CM, Tubbs Lampard. Actually if your fat overrated midfielder wasnt around, Gerrard might have played in his rightful position in CM instead of being played everywhere else to accomodate fat Frank. The great ones versatility counted against him with 'Lamps'

sack him, we dont want him. blah blah blah. Grow up + support your team, chav fans. The manager wants the team 2 win, so do you. So do the players + so does owner. If Mourinho joined Liverpool, Liverpool fans would love it despite the fact he has said negative stuff about liverpool. Only chelsea fans would get so upset. Pathetic. Benitez is a better manager than DI Matteo anyway. Much more class

If Rafa sets Chelsea up for a fall against Fulham he could be back in his armchair in Caldy laughing his socks off with a million pounds in the bank by the weekend. "Me gusta when ze plan comes together!"

!0 trophies in 8 years , the best period in the clubs history , we trust Mr Abramovich to have the best interests of the club at heart .Although this appointment is difficult to take , as with the past changes in management , it will reap its rewards .

Some chairmen give and some chairmen take. RA just keeps on giving. Who wants to pay hard earned money to an American to watch a mid table team buy Caroll, Henderson and Downing?Chelsea fans will have nothing but admiration for a bloke who gives his money to the club and asks for nothing back. Can united or Liverpool boast of such an owner? USA, USA, USA.

I'd be embarrassed to be a Chelsea fan. Where's the decency in spending your hard-earned money to line the pockets of a uber-rich scumbag. Give what you spend on Chelsea to some charity and do some real good in the world.

'If any of his behaviour meets with disapproval, it is suffered in silence for fear of causing offence'.... should be replaced with,... 'If any of his behaviour meets with disapproval, it is tolerated out of respect for the fan-owner of the club; one who has invested mightily and brought previously un-dreamed of success'

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